SCOTLAND’S role in the UK Space Agency’s ambition to hold 10 per cent of the global space market by 2030 has been highlighted after the awarding of a grant to the Scottish Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications (SoXSA), based at the University of Strathclyde, which will work with Tontine in Glasgow to support new start-up and scale up businesses.
Six space industry companies will be located at The Tontine, part of Glasgow’s City Deal-backed innovation hub, and will receive business support specific to the space sector, accommodation and administration costs covered for two years, and dedicated workshops and expertise.
The funding was awarded after the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow City Council approached the UK Space Agency for £50,000 of incubation funding to bring innovative companies to the city centre.
The partnership between the UK Space Agency, the council and SoXSA will give Scotland an even greater share of the UK space industry, which generates a total annual turnover of more than £11 billion.
Around 18 per cent of the UK’s space sector employment – the equivalent of around 7,000 jobs – is now based in Scotland.
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, principal of the University of Strathclyde, which is leading the partnership, said: “This investment from the UK Space Agency underlines the city of Glasgow’s international reputation as a thriving hub for businesses in the space sector, which play a vital role in the growth and advancement of the industry globally.
“As an entrepreneurial university and home to one of Europe’s largest space engineering research groups, it’s fitting that we work with Glasgow City Council to attract more innovative companies to the heart of our city – and to Scotland’s first Innovation District.
Councillor Frank McAveety, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Attracting such companies is great for the innovation clusters developing in Glasgow, underlining our growing status as a home for advanced industries and technologies, so critical to our long-term success. This is a fantastic day for the city and our economy, and the result of the hard work of the council and our partners.”
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